CBC News Report clears pilots in Swissair crash.htm

[Don Mac Lean]

Title: CBC News: Report clears pilots in Swissair crash

Report clears pilots in Swissair crash Last Updated Thu, 27 Mar 2003 21:47:10 HALIFAX - The 229 people on board Swissair Flight 111 were doomed as soon as fire began in the jet's cockpit, according to the final report into the accident. "Even if the pilots could have foreseen the eventual deterioration due to the fire, because of the rapid progression of the fire they would not have been able to complete a safe landing in Halifax," said Vic Gerden, the lead investigator for the Transportation Safety Board. INDEPTH: Swissair BACKGROUNDER: Transportation Safety Board's recommendations The TSB released its final report and a list of recommendations in Halifax Thursday. Investigators have spent four and a half years and $57 million looking into the crash off Peggy's Cove on Sept. 2, 1998. They say the fire started in a hidden area in the ceiling on the right side of the cockpit. Vic Gerden displays insulation Investigators concluded that a spark in the wiring of the in-flight entertainment system probably started the fire that led to the crash. The sparks ignited metallized plastic sheets covering thermal-acoustic insulation blankets in the area. FROM CBC-TV's Disclosure: Wired and Dangerous "It is important to emphasize here that without the presence of this and other flammable material, this accident would not have happened," Gerden says. The report says the crew didn't know about the fire until it was too late. The TSB has issued 23 safety recommendations, including nine new ones on Thursday. Among them: reduce the risk associated with the use of insulation covered with metallized plastic develop more rigorous flammability testing for all materials prevent the use of any materials that help fires start or continue burning The 330-page report brings to an end the largest and most complex air crash investigation in Canada's history. Written by CBC News Online staff H e a d l i n e s : C a n a d a Ontario issues new orders: 'We're not taking any chances with SARS' SARS outbreak may lead to airport screenings PM says 'it's possible' Canadian soldiers in Iraq Cellucci was delivering message from White House Report recommends virtual shutdown of northern cod fishery Ontario budget opens purse for seniors, students Newfoundland budget: spending up, higher sin taxes, bigger deficit Nova Scotia throne speech promises more spending Report clears pilots in Swissair crash MacKay takes early lead in Tory race Terms of Use | Privacy | Copyright | Other Policies Copyright � CBC 2003 VIDEO: Laurie Graham reports for CBC TV (Runs 2:18) AUDIO: Karen Pauls reports for CBC Radio (Runs 1:15)  RealVideo  Quicktime  RealAudio Download Players Swiss Air report findings. (Runs 10:42) Technical explanation of the report. (Runs 21:02) On As It Happens Mary Lou Finlay talks to Vic Gerden, chief investigator of the Swissair crash. (Runs 6:29) On As It Happens Mary Lou Finlay talks to Mark Fetherolf, whose daughter was killed in the Swissair crash. (Runs 6:06) SWISSAIR: Indepth coverage of the crash and its aftermath RECOMENDATIONS: From the Transportation Safety Board TIMELINE: Summary of the crash, recovery and investigation PHOTO GALLERY: Swissair Flight 111 WIRED AND DANGEROUS: A Disclosure investigation THE REPORT: The Transportation Safety Board's final report TSB - SR 111 investigation report (Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) WRITE TO US: Send your comments to [EMAIL PROTECTED] JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Share your thoughts on this and other news stories! Email This Story Printable Version